Sports Mole previews Friday’s European Championship clash between Poland and Austria, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.
Poland and Austria meet at the Olympiastadion in Berlin on Friday evening both aware that they can ill-afford another defeat in Group D.
Both nations began their Euro 2024 campaigns with defeats, Poland going down 2-1 to Netherlands and France edging out Austria by a 1-0 scoreline.
Match preview
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When Poland took the lead against Netherlands on Sunday through a terrific Adam Buksa header, it appeared that the absence of Robert Lewandowski would not cost them.
However, Michal Probierz‘s team had fortune on their side before they were ultimately pegged back by the half-hour mark, and Wout Weghorst‘s winner for Oranje was ultimately deserved.
There were still aspects of the performance that will satisfy Probierz, including having seven shots on target against high-calibre opposition, but they also allowed Netherlands to have 21 strikes in comparison.
As a result of their defeat, Poland have seen their eight-match undefeated streak come to an end, leaving Probierz with much to ponder ahead of the trip to the German capital.
While the return of Robert Lewandowski would represent a massive boost, the Eagles will have to find a way to repel what has quickly become a classy Austria side under Ralf Rangnick.
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Austria had been on their own lengthy unbeaten run before taking on France on Monday night, avoiding defeat in seven games in succession.
A first-half own goal from Max Wober ultimately saw that streak come to an end as France battled their way to a hard-earned triumph in Dusseldorf.
Kylian Mbappe‘s broken nose has dominated the headlines since then, taking away what was a spirited effort from Austria who kept Les Bleus concerned right until the final whistle.
Privately, Rangnick would have accepted that collecting a point would have been a bonus, the focus largely being placed on their closing two fixtures in the group.
From a historical perspective, these two nations have a hostile past, but their only two meetings for 16 years occurred in 2019, Poland winning an away Euro 2020 qualifier by a single goal before the reverse fixture ended goalless.
Poland European Championship form:
Poland form (all competitions):
Austria European Championship form:
Austria form (all competitions):
Team News
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Although the expectation is that Lewandowski will be available for this fixture, Probierz may choose to keep the Barcelona man in reserve.
Karol Swiderski was also an injury concern for the Netherlands game, but having made an appearance in the second half, the attacker may replace Kacper Urbanski.
Jakub Moder and Bartosz Slisz are both options to come into the midfield, although Probierz could be against making too many alterations.
Rangnick will also be wary of overly tinkering with his side, but Marko Arnautovic is an obvious option to return in the final third.
A place could be found for Patrick Wimmer on the flank, allowing Marcel Sabitzer to be used in-field, yet the backline may remain the same barring any fitness issues.
Poland possible starting lineup:
Szczesny; Bednarek, Salamon, Kiwior; Frankowski, Szymanski, Romanczuk, Zielinski, Zalewski; Swiderski, Buksa
Austria possible starting lineup:
Pentz; Posch, Danso, Wober, Mwene; Seiwald, Grillitsch; Laimer, Baumgartner, Sabitzer; Arnautovic
We say: Poland 1-1 Austria
With both nations having to find a balance being avoiding defeat and pushing for three points, we expect a tense affair to play out in Berlin. Austria could have the better of the contest, but if Lewandowski returns as expected, we anticipated him making an impact.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.